Advanced English Vocabulary and Idiomatic Expressions

Vocabulary practice flashcards focusing on advanced collocations, idiomatic phrases, and formal expressions covered in the lecture notes.

Break down / overcome (temporal/spatial) barriers

To eliminate obstacles related to time or physical distance, allowing instantaneous communication and global connection.

Strengthen / cement relationship

Forge closer ties

1)The joint military parade served to cement the relationship between the two allies. (They are reinforcing a bond that already exists).

2)The meeting went well, and we hope to forge closer ties with them over the coming months. (You are building a new connection).

Rekindle passion for

To revive or reawaken enthusiasm, excitement, or dedication toward an interest or activity.

Transcend / go beyond limits

To surpass, exceed, or rise above established boundaries, capacities, or traditional ways of thinking.

Fall short of standard / fail to live up to expectation

To fail to reach the required level of quality, benchmark, or lofty expectation set by someone.

Stifle creativity

To suppress, restrain, or discourage artistic expression, original thinking, and independent problem-solving skills.

Become famous

Gain traction (obj, begin of gaining popularity)

Rise to stardom (ppl, reach a peak popularity)

Tarnish / undermine image

To damage, spoil, or diminish the public reputation or good standing of an individual or entity.

Articulate / convey feelings / thoughts

To express, communicate, or give clear and effective voice to one's internal ideas and emotions.

Bottle up / conceal feelings

To hide, suppress, or avoid expressing internal emotions over an extended period.

Render obsolete

To cause something to become outdated, old-fashioned, or no longer useful due to technological progress or new developments.

Fall into place

To happen, organize, or resolve smoothly and naturally as expected over time.

Sow the seeds of

The Charity's efforts to provide education sowed the seeds of hope in the underprivileged community.

Keep abreast of

Keep up with, stay abreast with…

-To succeed in today's fast-paced world, it is vital to keep abreast of the latest developments technology.

Squshies, stress-relief toys, fidget toys

- tangible ->therapeutic, tactile sensory stimulation -> self-soothe (coping strategy)

- stretching squashing kneading

- solace

- affordable, portable → accessible (×social status)

** the prefrontal cortex, which governs emotional regulation and impulse control, needs external sensory output to help manage internal states. E.g NeeDoh (a brand) send calming signals

Exhilarating

Weariness with digital entertainment

Constant digital immersion → digital fatigue → drained, strained, weary

Curb (limit/restrict) usage → i.e. digital detox (detached from tech.)

Simulated → virtual

Longing for tangible, physical tactile experience

Poor

Impoverished/ Indigent/ Underprivileged (family)

Deplorable living conditions

Dilapidated 日久失修

Allure

N of Attractive

Rectify fault

Do correction

Set a precedent

開先例

Hong Kong's waste charging scheme set a precedent for how society could embrace environmental responsibility through legislation.

Spare no effort

Work as hard as possible

The team spared no effort in preparing for the competition.

Spark controversy

The ad sparked controversy on social media.

Speak volumes about

His silence speaks volumes about his guilt.

Stem the tide

The government struggled to stem the tide of illegal immigration.

Resent the restrictions

Parental intervention

Snowed under with

消費習慣consumption

Self-actualization?

Superficial acclaim

Consumer Council 消委會

Materialistic desire (desire possession)

Purchasing power ⬆ = Extravagant, ostentatious → splurge

Cost an arm and a leg

Merchandise = products

Squander

Lavishing, flaunt → bottomless wealth → achieve

Extratotioate

Giving down the drain

Manufacturing process→ cost effective →Multifaceted forms & wide variety

Pie-in-the-sky / wishful thinking

Unrealistic imagination

It is by no means an exaggeration to state that without concrete execution plans, any grandiose blueprint for urban renewal is nothing but pie in the sky.

Plausible

Seemingly reasonable

Darn

Very

Try your darnest = do your best

It goes without saying that

In a hyper-competitive academic environment like Hong Kong, it goes without saying that academic credentials should never be prioritized at the expense of students’ psychological well-being.

Paradoxic

自相矛盾

Vice versa

反之亦然

He doesn't trust her, and vice versa

Play a part (in)

To be actively involved in something or have a significant impact on its outcome.

Pose a headache / problem / difficulty / challenge

To create a troublesome situation, obstacle, or dilemma that requires significant effort to resolve.

Pose a threat / menace / risk (to)

To present a source of danger, harm, or vulnerability toward someone or something.

Reap the profits / rewards / benefits

To receive positive outcomes, advantages, or earnings as a direct result of one's efforts.

Rein in

To control, limit, or restrain something that has grown excessive or unruly.

Remedy the situation / problem

To take corrective action that resolves or improves an undesirable circumstance.

Stand the test of time

To endure and remain strong, relevant, or widely appreciated across a long period.

Succumb to (pressure / temptation / illness)

屈服

Many students intend to study but ultimately succumb to the temptation of scrolling through social media for hours.

Shatter one's happiness / hopes / positivity

To completely ruin or destroy someone's emotional well-being, optimistic outlook, or lifelong aspirations.

Forgo traditional employment

Disillusioned with rigid structures, an increasing number of young adults forgo / shun traditional employment in favour of project-based work.

Reject the 9-to-9 grind

朝九晚九嘅working schedule

Having witnessed their parents' exhaustion, Gen Z actively rejects the 9-to-9 grind, seeking

Portfolio career

Slasher

Instead of one stable job, many now build a portfolio career, juggling part-time tutoring, freelance gigs, and an online side business.

Prioritise work-life integration

Young employees prioritise work-life integration, answering emails while travelling rather than staying late at the office.

Become a digital nomad

Digital nomad: 透過internet一邊旅行、一邊工作

Equipped with just a laptop, many young adults become digital nomads, basing themselves in cheap but scenic locations like Chiang Mai.

Face a glass ceiling

Energetic juniors face a glass ceiling, with management positions reserved for older, less capable

Various reasons are given for the apparent glass ceiling women hit in many professions.

Go against the grain / tide

While peers chased lucrative banking jobs, she went against the grain, pursuing a career in social work.

Carve out unconventional paths

• Instead of following traditional career ladders, youths carve out unconventional paths in the gig

economy.

• Gender-fluid youths reject rigid classifications, demanding recognition beyond traditional binaries.

Venture into uncharted territory

With AI advancing rapidly, society ventures into uncharted territory, grappling with unprecedented ethical dilemmas.

Break the mould

The Apple iPhone broke the mould, revolutionising how the world communicates and consumes media.

reject rigid corporate hierarchies

Gen Z tends to reject rigid corporate hierarchies, favouring flat structures where creativity is valued over seniority

Manifold

The implications of this phenomenon are manifold, permeating not only individual well-being but also the broader socio-economic fabric of our city.

Overstep the mark

While regulatory intervention is often warranted to safeguard public interest, authorities must tread carefully lest they overstep the mark and infringe upon fundamental civil liberties.